Thursday, August 16, 2012

A Kindness

I did not realize way back when I made Bohemian (my first fabric collection in 2006) how much it would bother me to now not have saved a piece of everything. I think of it as a crazy line. I can't even tell what it looks like anymore. The experience of making the first was unique. I just went for it before I had real ideas about what I thought it should be. Looking at it now, I do know that I really like that attitude about it. Perhaps it's just naivete.

Not sure how I came to have so little. I have even sent many in recent years on a path to help them find some, but as I frequently advise, I am not any better at finding it than anyone is unless I have a bolt sitting right next to me. Which I don't. I always appreciate anyone wanting or loving my fabrics, whether I'm able to help or not. I can't tell you how many emails I've answered on finding Bohemian. Or whether I am going to reprint Bohemian (two of the prints already reappeared in Good Folks).

I met this lovely girl named Jenny, who herself has anillustrative story of how she came to possess every piece of the collection in order to make a dazzling quilt. After seeing her quilt I met her at market, and told her that she certainly has more Bohemian than I do, which surprised her. But what really surprised me was the box that I received from her this week containing a piece of everything. I simply could not believe her kindness-but of course I could. She wrote that she just felt it was what needed to happen after receiving so much help gathering all the pieces. I promptly packed up a package of Field Study to send the dear girl, then piled some Bohemian atop the cuts I've collected for months to begin the boys' quilts, all the while, loving the generosity that this world of making possesses. Loving it. And the applique feathers I'm working away at are that much more enjoyable, with pieces of kindness sewn in. Thank you, Jenny.

Now. Giving. Let's keep it going! I've added a stack of 6 fat quarters to every prize that is to be won in the Auction for Action Kivu. Alissa is my sweet friend who I so adore, as I do the work that her equally gorgeous twin sister is doing for women in Eastern Congo. Teaching them to sew so that they can support their families, increasing the chances that they lead safe a productive lives. Thank you for considering giving! I personally threw my dollars at a chance to win some of Denyse's new line, which would be as lovely for my girls' quilts (planning stage) as some of her other prints above are for the boys.

32 comments:

What a lovely story! I would have never imagined a fabric designer in need of her own fabric but it shows what a wonderful community we have. I am going to go check out the Auction I haven't had a chance to yet.

What an amazing story. And what a blessing that was! I totally understand that overwhelming feeling when someone shows me such unexpected kindness- kind of like recently when this amazing designer I know packaged me up a generous bundle of solids and prints to help me out with my giant Spinning Stars Quilt. ;) Its something that will not be forgotten. I'm so excited to see those finished quilts for your boys!

Jenny and I became Flickr friends when she saw a picture of the Bohemian prints I had. We collected it all and made quilts. The Bohemian prints are some of my favorites and I'm enjoying studying them with each handquilting stitch I am taking following the lines in your designs! There are quite a few amazing, generous people in this online community that have brightened my day and I've tried to pass on the fabric kindness!

Oh Dear Anna! I too have been touched by the sweet generousity of Jenny! I've been a fan of yours since I started quilting, but that was years after Bohemian - Jenny hooked me up with bits of the whole line! I'll always cherish the quilt made with it - knowing how generous quilters are. That kindness is even more beautiful than anything we could create with the fabric! :)

That was so very kind of her! I can imagine how special that quilt will be to you now. recently a designer sent me a box of fabric strips i was trying to find to make some quilts for kids. It was so very kind of her and when the quilts are made and passed along they will be full of kindness and love. It always has an amazing feeling when someone acts out of pure kindness. Sometimes it seems that it is so very rare.

Oh that's so cool. I love that the quilting community is so kind and warm and that experiences like yours can and do happen. I found my way to your blog and fell in love with your fabrics a few years back when Bohemian was long gone out of stores/availability. I sure have enjoyed your other fabric collections and agree with others that a reprint would be fantastic. Lovely Monday post!

This story (and your fabric) screams... reprint! When your fans share their collection with you the designer who cannot come up with her own stash! :D I've personally just been back in the sewing swing of things in the past year or so (granddaughters will do that) and quilting is brand new this year. Anything "bohemian" speaks to me... my mom really IS bohemian! I know you leave a wake of happiness wherever you go, so I'm not surprised at all that you've experienced this "random" act of kindness!

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